Essential Home Natural Home Cleaning Kit

I'm excited about our newest product--
Because--

You don't have to use chemicals to create a clean home environment! Instead, you can use simple ingredients and essential oils. And these natural cleaners don't cost much to make. Our kit gives you the information you need--and the essential oil blend that will leave your home clean and great smelling too!


The kit includes:


Equipment ListSupplies List (most can be purchased at the grocery store)


2 oz. bottle of Essential Home Oil Blend (lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, and sweet orange)Recipes for:


General Purpose Cleaner


Drain & Garbage Disposal Cleaner


Mold & Mildew Eliminator


Garbage Pail Deodorizer


Smells-Good Kitchen Rinse


Toilet Bowl Cleaner


Creamy Soft Scrub


Bathroom Deodorizer


No-Wax Floor Cleaner


Carpet Deodorizer


10-Product Labels





Everything is packaged in a natural, reusable 7" x 10" jute bag. Order the kit through http://www.soapwerks.etsy.com for $17.95 plus shipping. Refills of Essential Home Blend available separately.

Get Your Daily Ration of Milk (Bath, That Is!)

Milk is a time-honored ingredient of bath soaks that is noted for its soothing qualities. Cleopatra knew what she was doing--a milk bath smoothes your skin and, with the right combination of essential oils, will soothe rattled nerves.

SoapWerks has a new milk bath. We've combined powdered milk, cornstarch and the essential oils of lavender and lemongrass (divine smell). As you can see, it is gift-giving ready as we put TLC in our packaging. Purchase on-line at: http://soapwerks.etsy.com/

Natural Laundry Detergent

We are so excited about our newest product! We start by grating SoapWerks cold-process vegetable-based soap and mixing in borax, washing soda, and baking soda. My friends and I have been testing out the recipe and we are amazed at how clean it gets our clothes! No more bad-for-you-and-the-environment store-bought laundry detergents. No more itchiness for those of you who have sensitive skin. (just read the ingredient label on your current laundry detergent and you will see what I mean)

The detergent is available in several scents (we use only essential oils): lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, lemongrass, sweet orange, and peppermint.

It takes only 1 tablespoon of detergent to launder a large size load of clothes. If you are using a HE/front loading washer, it takes only 1/2 tablespoon. The sample size launders 16-32 loads of laundry; the large size 48-84 loads.

Purchase it at: http://www.soapwerks.etsy.com/

Essential Oil of the Month--Tea Tree

Tea tree oil is distilled from a tree in Australia. Its name comes from tea drunk by aboriginal people. Its healing effects include: anti-fungal, antiseptic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory. It can be used to treat everything from athlete's feet to dandruff.

Unlike most essential oils, tea tree can be used "neat" on your body. This means it does not need to be diluted with a carrier oil, lotion, or shampoo.

Tea tree's smell is medicinal, but clean. Inhaling relieves congestion, and tea tree is terrific for cleaning your home when someone is ill.

We use Tea Tree Oil in our Healing Salve. The salve is wonderful for treating poison ivy, burns, insect bites, shingles, and cuts. SoapWerks' Sore No More contains tea tree, lavender, eucalpytus, and sage. Sore No More brings relief to your "achy parts".

We sell 2 oz. bottles of Tea Tree Oil through our Etsy shop.

Essential Oil Recipe of the Month

Eucalyptus, Lavender, and Tea Tree Spray Cleaner

2 teaspoons borax
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 cups hot water
1/4 teaspoon eucalpytus essential oil
1/4 teaspoon lavender essential oil
5 drops tea tree essential oil

Mix all ingredients and stir until dry ingredients dissolve. Pour into a spray bottle for use and long-term storage. To use, spray as needed on any surface except glass. Scrub and rinse with a clean, damp cloth.

(adapted from Herbal Homekeeping by Sandy Maines)

Soy Wax Candles--A Healthy Way to Add Fragrance to Your Home

Candles add beauty and wonderful fragrance to your home. However, candles made from paraffin wax produce carcinogens that can pollute your indoor environment. If you burn candles frequently, this pollution can equal the effects of second-hand smoke!

Luckily, there are a number of "natural" candles waxes on the market. SoapWerks' uses soy-based wax because it is long-burning and easy to work with. Soy-wax dissolves in water, so you don't have to worry about spills. Simply soak the wax in warm water and wipe away!

When purchasing candles, it is important to check out the wicking. Avoid wicks with a metal core, particularly those with lead. We use an all-cotton woven wicking in SoapWerks' candles.

We offer container candles in a variety of shapes and sizes. Our best seller is a 6 oz. tin ($7.95)--it is great for traveling.

A new product for us is a soy-wax votive. It burns for 15 hours and is available in six great scents: mint, lavender & lemongrass, bourbon bread pudding, pomegranate, green tea, cinnamon/clove, and vanilla & sweet orange. They are $1.75 each or 3 for $4.75.

Order our candles through our website.

Cooking With Lavender--Lavender & Orange Scones

Did you know you can cook with essential oils?
Oils add wonderful flavor to foods when used
sparingly. Make sure you use only pure essential oils in your recipes. I've created a fragrant and delicious scone recipe using lavender and sweet orange essential oils, perfect for summer weekends when guests are in the house.

Lavender & Orange Scones
2 Cups cake flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1/4 Cup sugar
1 Drop lavender essential oil
4 Drops sweet orange essential oil
1 1/4 cups heavy cream

In a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and 1/4 cup sugar, stirring with a fork to mix well. Stir in the oils and cream and mix lightly until the dough holds together. Dough will be sticky. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured board and knead 8 or 9 times. Pat the dough into a 10-inch circle.

Melt 3 Tablespoons butter and spread over dough. Combine 2 Tablespoons sugar, 1/2 Teaspoon dried orange peel, and 1 Teaspoon dried lavender buds. Sprinkle over dough. Cut the circle into 12 wedges and place each piece on a baking sheet, allowing 1 inch between pieces. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Makes pure enjoyment for 12 people (or 4 greedy folks!)

Essential Oil Of The Month--Lavender

Lavender's name evolved from the Latin lavare, which means "to wash". Lavender is antifungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. So, it is wonderful to clean your body and your home.

Lavender is an antidepressant and calms you. It enhances sleep, so keep it near your bed.

Lavender blends well with citrus oils, lemongrass, and chamomile.

Put a few drops in unscented liquid soap, bath gel, shampoo, or lotion. You will feel clean and tranquil!

When you purchase an essential oil, make sure it is 100% pure. It is best to store essential oils in amber bottles, away from sunlight and high temperature. The shelf life of an essential oil is 1 year if stored under the correct conditions.

This recipe will keep you feeling fresh in warm weather:

Natural Body Powder

½ cup rice flour
¼ cup cornstarch
Few drops essential oil (lavender works well)

1. Sift dry ingredients together.
2. Add essential oil and blend well.
3. Keep in a plastic bag for two days.
4. Put in powder dispenser and enjoy!

If you would like to incorporate lavender into your life, SoapWerks sells lavender essential oil through our on-line shop: http://www.soapwerks.etsy.com/